Pupils at Springston School originally visited the stream to measure the water quality, look for bugs (macro-invertebrates) that indicate stream health, and measure other parameters of water quality such as clarity and temperature. This study evolved into a restoration project in which the pupils worked out the finances, landscaping and plant selection. Over 2 weeks, during April 2005, the kids planted around 1200 plants.

Carol Adams at Wrights Stream.
It was a wonderful project, said Carol Adams. “The kids really looked forward to coming over to do the planting.”  Three years on, the stream is popular with her boys for eeling and canoeing. In spite of their earlier enthusiasm in their planting project, Carol was not surprised when her 2 teenage boys were less excited about the weeding. Luckily, her husband Johnny is very protective of the plantings, regularly checking for new infestations of weeds and making sure the electric fence is operational.

Environment Canterbury’s Waitaha Wai programme operates throughout the region, and aims to inspire and encourage school students to learn about and value Canterbury’s streams and rivers, and to take action to protect and enhance them. Riparian planting projects are popular actions, as are community awareness campaigns devised by the students. Waitaha Wai is primarily focused on Environment Canterbury’s Living Streams catchments – Wrights Stream is a tributary of the Selwyn River/Waikirikiri, which feeds Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora.

For more information about Waitaha Wai, Environment Canterbury’s water education programme for schools, please contact Environment Canterbury’s Education for Sustainability team.